Catch-and-keep trout season begins Feb. 1 at two St. Joseph lakes

St. Joseph, Mo. – Get the skillet and the side dishes ready. Starting on Thursday, Feb. 1, anglers with the proper permits can keep the rainbow trout they catch from Krug Park Lagoon and Everyday Pond in St. Joseph. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) stocked the trout last autumn to provide anglers a winter fishing opportunity. Anglers have fished for them on a catch-and-release basis since the stocking. Now, they can bring along a stringer and put tasty trout on the dinner table.

Starting Feb. 1, anglers may use scented lures and natural baits as well as unscented artificial lures to catch trout. Anglers with the proper permits can keep up to four trout daily.

MDC stocked trout in Krug Park in partnership with the St. Joseph Parks, Recreation, and Civic Facilities Department. The trout in Everyday Pond were stocked in partnership with Missouri Western State University. The pan-sized trout are raised at MDC’s Bennett Spring and Chesapeake fish hatcheries.

Anglers are reminded that fishing for warm-water species such as catfish and bluegill is on a catch-and-release basis year-round at Krug Park Lagoon and Everyday Pond. But trout may be kept after Feb. 1. Anglers should always review the signage at waters where they are fishing for specific regulations.

All Missouri residents over age 15 and under 65 must have a valid fishing permit, and all non-residents over age 15 must have a Missouri fishing permit. Anglers who wish to keep trout must also have a valid Missouri Trout Permit.

For information about winter trout fishing at Krug Park Lagoon and Everyday Pond, call MDC’s St. Joseph office at 816-271-3100.

For more information on winter trout fishing throughout Missouri, visit https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZoH.